What is 'Oper-Arte'?
In 2004, with the goal of enhancing its already strong community focus, OPERA UNDER THE STARS® initiated the annual ‘Oper-Arte’ Art Exhibition and Auction ~ the Art Exhibition with a difference that makes a difference ~ that sees the total proceeds from the ‘Oper-Arte’ Auction of an original artwork kindly donated by the featured Visual Artist each year utilised to provide increased access to musical instruments / materials for the children of Broome and the West Kimberley region via donations to the 6 schools of Broome, the 3 schools of the Dampier Peninsula and La Grange Remote Community School at Bidyadanga.
Visual Artists featured for the 'Oper-Arte' Art Exhibition & Auction include Leon Pericles (2004), Harvey Wachtel (2005), Kerry Stokes (2006), Ian McConnell (2007), Krim Benterrak (2008), Claire Beausein (2009), Judy Prosser (2010), Helen Norton (2011) and Ingrid Windram (2102), Mark Norval (2013).
‘Oper-Arte’ 2013 featured a retrospective of works from multi award winning artist, Mark Norval, whose incomparable art is as inspiring as it is breath-taking and which was on show at the Broome Convention Centre Chinatown from Friday 30th August to Sunday 8th September 2013. Integral to each ‘Oper-Arte’ is the auction of an original artwork, kindly donated by the Visual Artist, with the total proceeds being used to increase access to musical instruments / materials for the children of Broome and the West Kimberley, the musicians of the future. The 'Oper-Arte' 2013 Auction of the Mark Norval original, ‘Contemplation’, was a magical event with the final bid coming from an ecstatic Chris & Marie of Perth. Subsequently two anonymous donations were received adding to the total on the night, then, a further two anonymous donations, one from a Sydney based person who had attended the opening of 'Oper-Arte' 2013 and was inspired by its vision to make a donation, were added bringing the overall grand total for the auction to the fabulous figure of $8,500.00.
The above result brings the grand total of music instrument donations made since the inaugural presentation of the ‘Oper-Arte’ Art Exhibition & Auction in 2004 to a tremendous $75,500.00.
We are thrilled to note that, following his retrospective for the ‘Oper-Arte’ 2013 Art Exhibition & Auction, Mark Norval won the Shire of Broome Shinju Matsuri Acquisitive Art Prize 2013 - our warmest congratulations go to Mark Norval.
‘Oper-Arte’ is the art exhibition with a difference that makes a difference as, not only does it provide a unique opportunity for the intermingling of the worlds of Opera and Visual Art but, ‘Oper-Arte’ is also making a singular difference in nurturing the musical talents of the children of the West Kimberley, the musicians of the future.
'Oper-Arte' the art exhibition with a difference that makes a difference!